HOUSTON -- The Harris County sheriff's office announced Friday that two employees have been fired in connection with the death of an inmate earlier this year, KPRC Local 2 reported.

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Major Don McWilliams announced that detention officer Nathan Hartfield, a two-year employee of the department, and his supervisor, Sgt. Joyce Harris, a 16-year veteran of the department, were fired Thursday night.

The two have been accused of falsifying their statements to investigators.

"Our officers are sworn to tell the truth in any official investigation," McWilliams said. "Sgt. Harris apparently instructed Hatfield to make his false statements because of the fact that at the time of the altercation, she was not on the floor. She was in front of the jail at 701 N. San Jacinto talking on her cell phone."

On New Year's Day, Hartfield was involved in a struggle with inmate Clarence Freeman, who allegedly became unruly after demanding a food tray.

Freeman, 42, was taken to a local hospital, where he died several days later.

The department is also investigating reports that Hartfield used a chokehold on Freeman, a procedure that detention officers are prohibited from using on inmates.

Freeman's widow joined with community activists Friday afternoon to react to news of the firing.

"I am overwhelmed, but not surprised," Cherry Freeman said. "Knowing Clarence, and he was a Godly person, things that I actually experienced in the report were untrue, and I knew that with all my heart."

But Quanell X, with the New Black Panther Party, told reporters that firing the employees is not enough.

"Until the two jailers are indicted and brought to trial, and this family receives justice, there is no closure here," Quanell X said.

The case remains under investigation and a Harris County grand jury is expected to soon begin looking at evidence and questioning witnesses.

Freeman's death was one of 10 reported this year inside Harris County jails.

The two employees were terminated in the same week that the U.S. Department of Justice conducted an inspection of the jails. Inspectors are searching for signs of alleged civil rights violations, including overcrowding, questionable medical care and treatment of the inmates.

The nine-member team is expected to wrap up its work on Saturday.

McWilliams said that the timing of the firings is not related to the inspections.